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“The annoying business side of music is where the creative person often becomes an ostrich with his head in the sand.” While the visual of Patrick Hess’ comment may cause a chuckle, it is indeed a reality that many creatives are not versed in the business aspects of their crafts. This is certainly a leading factor behind why several extremely talented music creatives are never able to obtain noteworthy financial success in their careers. The...

Unfortunately, when it comes to public use of music—despite the myriad of information on music copyright and intellectual property—there are still some who hold the view that public use of music should come at zero cost.

We recently came across a passionate debate on Facebook where a music creator sought to explain to one gentleman the justification for music creators being compensated by way of royalties when their copyright music is...

The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Grace Richardson as ECCO Agent in St Kitts & Nevis with immediate effect.

As ECCO Agent, Richardson will handle the licensing of public use of music in St Kitts and Nevis; collection of music use data; and will also serve as the key point of contact for music users, advising them on effective music use.

Mr Steve Etienne,...

This week the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS) in partnership with Barbados-based Copyright Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Incorporated (COSCAP) present the Fundamentals of the Business of Music Seminar.

The Seminar, which will initially be piloted in Barbados, will run from Wednesday June 29^th to Friday July 1^st, at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel; and forms part of ACCS’ Business of Music Seminar...

“Copyright enables you to make a living off your art,” says Dave Kusek, founder and former CEO of Berklee Online and founder of the New Artist Model online music business course. “When you write or record music you produce more than just a ‘song,’” Kusek expounds.  “You also get exclusive rights and no one else can perform actions protected by your rights unless you give them permission.”

Kusek goes on to state that there are two kinds of...

The 2016 general elections in St. Lucia heralds a new dawn in the relationship between political parties and the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights. Although ECCO has been established in St. Lucia since 2009, and prior to that ECCO’s predecessor was HMS (Hewanorra Musical Society), it has always been a challenge to get political parties to license their rallies, motorcades and other events where music is to be used....

Soul resonates from her core. With each melodic line, Sabrina Francis’ raspy emotive voice envelopes your entire being, gently transporting you, through the sheer passion which she emanates, to a beautiful euphoric world of love, beauty and light.

Born in Grenada to a music-loving family Sabrina says for her, music and songs have always been a way of life. Her mother an avid Calypsonian and songwriter; Lady Empress, while her father a music...

For many songwriters and composers, music creation is fueled purely by their love of the art-form. No surprise then that many do not take the time after collaborating on musical works to iron out and agree to ownership rights, control rights and  revenue splits.

Perhaps it’s because most creatives tend to shy away from the business side of things; or maybe they think agreements between collaborative writers are too complex for them to...

Music, she says, is not her career, but her lifestyle! “If I stop singing, I think I might just stop breathing,” the ever delightful Linda “Chocolate” Berthier laughs, her eyes burning with passion.

Born to a musical family, Chocolate’s childhood bedtimes was filled with the sweet strains of the acoustic guitar, with her father strumming the instrument. She grew up listening to the great classics from the Commodores, to Frank Sinatra Earth...

In our last blog post, we sat with General Manager of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. Steve Etienne, to gain an overview and insight into the operations of the collective organization. Areas such as ECCO membership, licensing, funding and royalty distributions were highlighted. Today, we delve further to better understand the factors which affect the organization’s royalty collections and...